And as ‘The Power’ left Alexandra Palace without a word, his dream of a 17th world title disappearing like headlights in the pea souper outside, it felt like the end of the funicular.

Ten years ago, almost to the day, Barney pipped Taylor in a sudden-death epic at the Circus Tavern.

This time he won 5-3 and he will face Michael van Gerwen in a double-Dutch semi-final at the William Hill PDC world championship – but only after they have seen in the New Year by going out for a meal tonight.

When the clogs of war meet again on the oche, the smart money will be on MVG to avenge his shock third round defeat by RVB in the third round 12 months ago.

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But for Taylor, the outlook is bleak. His 130th world championship match could be his last.

It is possible this was his final appearance on the Alexandra Palace stage – unless he comes back to present the Sid Waddell Trophy.

The 16-time champion had talked up his chances of conquering the world again at 56, but his performance was like a careless handyman scattering spanners.

Although he fought back from 3-1 down to level the tie at 3-3, you could cut the pension with a knife as two old stagers with a combined age of 105 slugged it out.

After the frightening scoring power of Peter Wright, Gary Anderson and Dave Chisnall in the afternoon session, for long periods this was like old codgers arguing over a set of false teeth.

Taylor was playing his 130th world championship match (Image: PA Wire)

Barney admitted: “The strange part is that I never felt comfortable. I was struggling and maybe I should have finished it earlier, but in the last set finally I managed to put him under pressure.

“I was expecting more from Phil, but maybe he gets tired. You use a lot of energy sorting out requests for tickets and people text all the time.

“When I saw the draw, I realised I might have to beat Adrian Lewis, Phil Taylor, Michael van Gerwen and Gary Anderson to win the title and I thought it was mission impossible.

Barney is through to the semi-finals (Image: LAWRENCE LUSTIG)

“But I am still here because I kept believing in myself. I won the Premier League in 2014 against all the odds, so of course I can win another world championship.”

Taylor had won 56 of his previous 76 meetings with Barney, but instead of rising to the occasion he sank in the quicksand. He is the greatest purveyor of missiles in the history of tungsten and his achievements will never be matched.

But when Barney, who had checked out with 167 and 140 in consecutive legs to pinch the fourth set, took out 86 on the bullseye to clinch victory, it looked like Old Father Time was doing his rounds in Stoke.

As Van Barneveld milked the acclaim of his adoring Barney army, ‘The Power’ shuffled off stage looking a broken man.